IPL 2023: Ajinkya Rahane played a knock for the ages, says Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar believes Ajinkya Rahane played a knock for the ages after Chennai Super Kings’ thumping seven-wicket win against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday.

Rahane, who was making his CSK debut, was able to get off the blocks as soon as he joined forces with Ruturaj Gaikwad after the early dismissal of Devon Conway in the run-chase of 158 runs.

Rahane has all the experience of playing at the Wankhede and he made the most of it. The stylish batter took the attack against the MI bowlers as soon as he came to the crease and smashed Arshad Khan for 23 runs in an over. Rahane got to his fifty off just 19 balls, the fastest of the ongoing season after the joint-quickest (20 balls) from Jos Buttler and Shardul Thakur.

Rahane went on to score a 27-ball 61, laced with seven fours and three sixes as he timed the ball sweetly to score most of his runs in the first six overs.

“The show-stopper of the evening was a Mumbai boy albeit in CSK’s yellow jersey, Rahane – who played a knock for the ages. Playing his first game for CSK, the India cricketer made everyone fall in love with his classical stroke play, again,” said Gavaskar on Star Sports.

The Little Master also lauded the superb spell from Ravindra Jadeja, who returned with figures of 3-20 in his quota of four overs to help CSK keep MI at 157. Gavaskar added Jadeja is fearless like his skipper MS Dhoni.

“Like his captain, Jadeja is absolutely fearless. Green’s catch is like making a possibility out of the improbable. No matter how much you praise this player, it is less,” Gavaskar added.

CSK will next face Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.